Two Days at the Medical Relief Camps

This information is from last week, but it should let you know some of the work happening on the ground. This is a report from the Relief Medical Camp in Hambanthota. This Medical support was organized by Apollo Hospital, Surya Foundation, Sarvodaya, Lions Club Cosmopolitan and the Emily Gunewardane Fund for Sri Lankan Children. The author of this report is unnamed, but they are appreciated:

TEAM: 15 doctors, 3 Pharmacists, 2 Nurses, 12 non-medicals

VENUE: Gurupokuna Temple, Tangalle
No. OF PATIENTS: About 700

The camp was held in an area where little medical care had been given previously. Only 12 families in the area were directly affected by the disaster causing damage to their homes. All others were indirectly affected as they were all fisher families and most of them had lost their boats, nets, etc. This was a multi-disciplinary camp. In addition to the routine medical care, it provided special attention to the children. The illnesses that we saw ranged from URTI, LRTI, Joint Pains and F/U cases of hypertension and diabetes. There were over 200 children who attended the camp. From those, children between the ages of 5-12 years were seperated into the “children’s corner” where they were given drawing books and crayons and asked to draw their thoughts. Each of these children was then given a gift pack with school books, pencils, a toy and chocolates. The infants at the camp were seperately given a toy of their choice, milk powder, feeding bottles, or cups and chocolates. Dry Rations, Clothing, Linen, Mosquito Coils, and Sanitary Napkins were also seperately distributed to needy affected families.

VENUE: Moreketiera School, Tangalle
No OF PATIENTS: Approx 1000

This camp was held at the site of a refugee camp. There were 200 affected families who were residing there. There were many people who had lost loved ones and we saw children who had lost one parent. There was an ongoing 24h medical care service there manned by a medical officer. However, we saw around 1000 patients ranging from URTI, LRTI, Joint Pains and F/U cases of hypertension and diabetes. There was a need for worming and also vitamins. There were around 100 dressings that were done and minor surgery (removal of nail). As earlier, a children’s camp with gift distribution for them and the infants was also done together with handing out of dry rations and clothing.

VENUE: Seetharamaya Temple, Hambanthota
No OF PATIENTS: About 900

This camp was held in an area of many affected families. Most had lost a loved one and their homes. The range of illnesses were similar to the previous ones. Again, the need for worming and vitamins were there for both the adults and the children. As earlier, a children’s camp with gift distribution for them and the infants was also done together with handing out of dry rations and clothing.

VENUE: Kudawellla Temple, Tangalle
No OF PATIENTS: About 1000

Due to over-running of the previous camp we were not able to start this camp at the scheduled time of 2:30PM. Hence on our arrival a vast number of people had collected at the temple. There were again many people who had lost loved ones and we saw children who had lost parents. Again, the range of illnesses were similar to earlier camps with the need for vitamins and worming. There were a number of dressings that were done and two minor surgeries were performed (I&D and removing of nail). As earlier, a children’s camp with gift distribution for them and the infants was also done together with handing out of dry rations and clothing. However, the number of infants exceeded 150 and we were able to give to only 100. The number of older children was also around 200 but we were able to give all of them a combination of books, school bags, water bottles, and chocolates. Handing out of dry rations and clothing was also done separately to needy families.